Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside

[sourkraut]

doug, awesome build thread! I have no idea how I had missed this! I have just read your whole thread and it is looking good, keep up the good work!

[tcb-1]

got some wiring done today. one more thing off the checklist. we're gettin' there!

I decided to wire the valves up with 4 conductor trailer wire. pretty cheap, .79 a foot at Napa. went with 10 gauge primary wire from the battery to the relay and from the "unfused ignition" plug on the fuse block to the relay. I used stick-on nylon strap bases so I didn't drill multiple holes in an otherwise solid cab.

disclamer. I like wiring. I'm just weird like that.


and


once the main harness runs out of the rear of the cab, I attached it to the existing brake line.


thought I'd take a few pic of the tank plumbing. I notched the frame a bit so the 5 gallon AVS tank would sit centered between the frame rails..... and what's nice is the the fittings are now protected from rock kickups and roadkill.....

compressor leader to tank interface:


pressure switch to tank interface:


to keep my greasy paws off the switchbox controller, I had a thought last night while having a C & C. like?


next stop, valve bank and final plumbing.

to be continued.

[big_al_71]

Doug,,,,,that wiring looks totally awesome great job..........

[sourkraut]

excellent work Doug! I love wiring too, people usually do think your nuts to like it! (until they need help with it)

[Rochlow]

Perfect, now I know what to do with all my CR baggies...

Even though I've bagged a few trucks, this thread has alot of helpful info dealing with 67-72 styles..

[powell72]

Well Doug, it looks like if people want to make money in the stock market they should buy stock in zipties before we do wiring jobs.

Good job, nice clean install as always.


Is it bad that I new what a C&C was before I even saw the pic???

[tcb-1]

Chris,
I knew you'd appreciate my madness...... we would have been retired now if we came up with the nylon wire wrap idea. oh well, should've, would've, could've.

oh, and C&C is the international language of Friday nights at my place!

[nuke1]

Great job Doug, nice and clean, and who can complain about a C&C!

[tcb-1]

call me crazy, but I think I found another set of rims so these may be up for sale. keeping the 17" tires though.

I'm never satisfied......

[tommyd241]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

call me crazy, but I think I found another set of rims so these may be up for sale. keeping the 17" tires though.

I'm never satisfied......

I'm not sure if it was already mentioned, but what size tires are those? Your truck is awesome BTW.

[72BlckButy]

Doug... mad attention to detail, however, I wouldn't expect anything less.

You've got me curious on the new shoes consideration though.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

You've got me curious on the new shoes consideration though.

I agree.... Shouldn't there be some sort of rule against swatting the bees nest?

[tcb-1]

I know, I know. I'm up to 4 different sets of steelies in 3 years. oh and that's not including the oem 15" x 6" that came when I bought the truck. I found wheel fabricator that can whip up a set 17" x 7" oem steelies with any backspace I want and 6 x 5.5 bc. decisions, decisions.

okay, I am sick. I take medication. I'm a steel rim addict. there it's out! wait....... I hear sirens coming.

gotta go.......................

[powell72]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

I'm a steel rim addict.

Steelies rule, you know it, I know it, and people that don't agree just don't get it!

[72BlckButy]

Edit... caps?

[tcb-1]

didja halfta ask?!!!

[72BlckButy]

Edited... nope.

[Security guy]

Good info! I may be doing this in another year. Love your truck!

[kyull67]

You know I'm gonna have to air ride my stepper now.... Looks Awesome!

[tcb-1]

Kyle, I'd be happy to help ya when you get to that point.

[LOW DOUGH]

Doug, your work looks very nice.

I want to see the new wheels!

[tcb-1]

no pics right now, low dough. however this is the guy that has welded up several wheels for me in the past:

http://www.rallyamerica.com/hotrod_trucks/index.html

thinking seriously about the 17 x 7 smoothie with '52 Chevy caps......

just thinking about it right now, $190 a wheel for steelies is kind of high. especially when you have to buy 5!

[tcb-1]

dropped a print of my valve bank mounting plate to my fabricator yesterday and picked the finished product up this afternoon. gotta love waterjet tables. precise, even cuts.

decided to take the tank ot to make it easier to mock up the mounting holes. also thought about my valve arrangement. it'll be tight, but compact and easy to work on. oh yeah, I plan on making a lift off bed hatch to access the valve bank, tank, and compressor. the hatch will be cut from the original bed wood making it "kind of" stealth and unobtrusive. those plans are finally coming together.

here's the plate with a mock up of the valve layout. I have to flip the valve mounting brackets to get this layout, but that's pretty straightforward. I wanted to mount them to a sturdy surface that protected them from road debris and copious amounts of water spray.



once I get the mounting holes drilled, it's off to get paint.

the bed mods will be next. stay tuned.........

[VA72C10]

Nice Idea and I can't wait to see it with the bed done...

[sourkraut]

looks good doug! can i ask why you are mounting them on top and not on the bottom so you dont have to cut a hole in the bed? is it to protect them from road damage? i am ask cause i dont know know squat about air bagging! not in my future but i like the idea.